Microbial Diversity and Adaptation under Salt-Affected Soils: A Review

The salinization of soil is responsible for the reduction in the growth and development of plants. As the global population increases day by day, there is a decrease in the cultivation of farmland due to the salinization of soil, which threatens food security. Salt-affected soils occur all over the world, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. The total area of global salt-affected soil is 1 billion ha, and in India, an area of nearly 6.74 million ha(-1) is salt-stressed, out of which 2.95 million ha(-1) are saline soil (including coastal) and 3.78 million ha(-1) are alkali soil. The rectification and management of salt-stressed soils require specific approaches for sustainable crop production. Remediating salt-affected soil by chemical, physical and biological methods with available resources is recommended for agricultural purposes. Bioremediation is an eco-friendly approach compared to chemical and physical methods. The role of microorganisms has been documented by many workers for the bioremediation of such problematic soils. Halophilic Bacteria, Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, Cyanobacteria, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and microbial inoculation have been found to be effective for plant growth promotion under salt-stress conditions. The microbial mediated approaches can be adopted for the mitigation of salt-affected soil and help increase crop productivity. A microbial product consisting of beneficial halophiles maintains and enhances the soil health and the yield of the crop in salt-affected soil. This review will focus on the remediation of salt-affected soil by using microorganisms and their mechanisms in the soil and interaction with the plants.

Automated summary

Salinization of soil reduces plant growth and development, posing a threat to food security as farmland cultivation decreases. Salt-affected soils are widespread globally, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. The total area of salt-affected soil worldwide is 1 billion ha, with India alone having 6.74 million ha(-1) of salt-stressed land, including saline and alkali soils. Specific approaches are needed for sustainable crop production on salt-stressed soils, with bioremediation being an eco-friendly option. Microorganisms, such as halophilic bacteria and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, have been found effective for promoting plant growth under salt-stress conditions. These microbial-mediated approaches can help mitigate salt-affected soil and increase crop productivity.